Series Read: Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Ladiibbug!

I know I keep saying it, but I must get back to this series. I just keep having other books get in the way! :o

[Leslie]

I'm having trouble returning to the series as well. Just too many books!

[Esther]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The library where I borrow ebooks just added all the books from this series. Now I have no reason not to catch up.They have a few in audio also.. what to do, what to do...

[Lisa Kay]

**chuckles** Enjoy, Esther!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Awesome. I would be curious in the audio and if the narrator does a good job!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

So I have finally found space in my reading schedule to start this book!

I have just finished chapter 8 and I am enjoying Flavia's wit and also how her naivety shows despite her maturity - showing that she is just a child after all.
What did surprise me was Feely getting married. I don't remember her being 18! I must have a look at how much time has passed since the first book as now Im unsure how old Flavia is meant to be in this book.
Loving all the references to Gladys as her trusty companion, and of course, Dogger is marvellous as always.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm now finished. This is my least favourite book in the series so far, which is not to say it is bad, more that it just fell a little flat. Flavia is, naturally, up to her usual tricks and we see Bishop's Lacey from another angle. I quite liked the development in the story of the possibly very old and important line of deLuce's and also more insights into her mother Harriet. Even Flavia's father manages to speak a little to her in this book which was a lovely scene. The ending was quite sudden and certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Now I need to read the next book in the series!, but I think I will wait for the paperback to be released in September

[Erin]

*lurk*

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I just got approved via netgalley for book 7


So now I've ordered book 6 via book depository (I love the covers so I'm buying all the physical books!)


and will start that in about 2 weeks

[Steven]

I need to get back on to book 3!!! LOL

[Esther]

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, book 2

I am halfway through the book. I like it but I find it not as well constructed than the 1st one. Maybe it is the fact there the cast of character is larger. It is fun to get around town more, knowing more about its inhabitants.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I think book 2 takes a bit more to get going Esther as the murder happens quite a way into the book, and you're right - you do get to meet more characters and more of the town. I quite like how the relationship between Flavia and the police starts to develop too.

C'mon Steven, get your skates on! (avoids eyes as I haven't read a Dresden book in a little while ;)

[Esther]

Karen wrote: "I think book 2 takes a bit more to get going Esther as the murder happens quite a way into the book, and you're right - you do get to meet more characters and more of the town. I quite like how the..."

You are so right. I am done. The second half just flew.

I really like Flavia. I am planning to read the 3rd in February.

[Srividya]

I just finished . My first time reading this series and I was totally amazed and loved Flavia and how well this book was written.

(view spoiler)[Firstly, I loved the fact that the investigator is not your run of the mill spinster or even an older person but a 11 year old kid. To many she might not come across as something realistic but I believe that she was totally charming, precocious but charming nevertheless. And it was refreshing to see a 11 year old play the role of an adult. Given her upbringing and family life, I did not feel it was unrealistic in anyway but actually quite acceptable.

I loved her love for chemistry and poisons. Chemistry has always fascinated me when studying, maybe that's why i could relate better to her. Although, I have to admit that I was never as much into it as Flavia, although I would have loved to dabble a lot more than I did.

The whole book was well written and provided lots of information about the culture and overall societal architecture of those times, especially in the way in which she conducted her investigations, the references to the school structure for the boys in those days, the town and its people, although this was really brief and other similar things. It made for a wonderful read.

I love the way how Flavia thinks to outwit the Inspector and actually manages to solve the case. She comes across as someone who is not only brave but very resourceful and intelligent. The manner in which she puts together this case is really wonderful and the best part is that there is no dragging moment throughout the book. It's steady in its pace and in its approach.

One thing that I wondered was -why the girls didn't have a governess or some kind of teacher coming in to teach them? I get that they don't go to school as it was not prevalent at that time but surely they must have had someone teaching them at home or minding their presence/absence. Flavia could disappear for hours together without anyone noticing or getting annoyed and this was really strange for me, although it did not diminish my enjoyment of the book in any manner.

The twists and turns in the book were also very fascinating. Although I did guess who it was somewhere in the middle, it was still fascinating to see how it came about and how she solved it.

Another thing which struck me was Flavia's relationship with her father and her sisters. With her sisters, it was just too funny! It had me in splits, every time she would trap them in one of her pranks. But despite all the pranks, you could sense the underlying love. With her father, it was awkward at first and I hope we get to see more of that relationship growing in the later books of the series but here I loved how it changed from awkward to respecting friends.

The interaction with the Inspector was just too good. Hope to see more of this in the coming books (hide spoiler)]

I loved this one. Will definitely be continuing with this series soon. Makes me wonder why I took such a long time to get to this but I guess its better late than never!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great comments Srividya; I think about the lack of Governess that it is because Flavia's father doesn't actually understand what is expected, and both sisters are much older so they don't suggest it... and Flavia certainly wouldn't want it! :o teehee

[Srividya]

Thanks Karen and I think you are right about the father not really understanding. He does seem clueless, doesn't he? And yeah she would definitely not want one! Lol.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I really hope you continue with the series. Flavia's relationship with her father and sisters does develop and I've found her escapades a joy to read

[Srividya]

I am definitely going to continue with the series Karen. I can't wait to see how things develop with her. Alas I have a few other books (read BRs) to finish before I can get back to Flavia and her escapades!

[Joi]

So...is this series worth starting? I've been looking at books 1 and 2...

[Srividya]

Joi - I loved the first book. It's different from any other mystery/ crime solving series that I have read, so I would say yes! Try the first book and see if you like it.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I really love this series Joi. It is kind of like a classic who-dunnit but with an 11 year old slueth who loves chemistry and lives in a crumbling country house. :)

[Anima]

I have started . I love this series so far, I was reluctant to start it, but when I read the first installment, I just fell in love with the atmosphere of the English country, Buckshaw, and of course, Flavia!

That is really interesting to find more about the origins of the title, it definitely adds to the story, I will gladly read some more about those titles.

And, Karen, I do understand your decision to buy phisical book, I love the covers, their colours and design! Make me want to read even more :)

[Stacey]

I'm going to start the first book sometime this week--a little late to the party, but I'll try to catch up as I can. I feel like I should have heard of this somewhere, but it sounds very interesting.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome to the party Anima and Stacey!

[Esther]

I am starting on the 3rd one today.

[Rebecca]

Karen - I've gone back to buy all the physical books. I love the covers and I think when the series is over I may go back and re-read. This is one of my absolutely favorite series.

I just got the newest one and am hoping to read it in the next month.

[Anima]

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows 50% in:

So far, I love the Christmas atmosphere in this installment, and the filming "twist" with its consequences for the Buckshaw's inhabitants.

Can't wait for the "case" to unfold!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

RebeccaS wrote: "Karen - I've gone back to buy all the physical books. I love the covers and I think when the series is over I may go back and re-read. This is one of my absolutely favorite series.

I just got th..."

Great stuff. I have #6 in the mail and #7 as an advanced copy from Netgalley waiting on my Kindle. Is it #6 (The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches )you're up to? If so we will probably be reading at about the same time

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Anima
Ah yes, Christmas at Buckshaw. How interesting it would be to be there :)

[Rebecca]

@Karen - I've read the first 6 books. I have in hardcover in the mail. I can't wait to crack it open. I'd love to read it with someone if we're at the same spot in the series. Not sure when I'll have time, but hopefully in the next couple weeks.

[Esther]

Book 3 (A Red Herring Without Mustard

I started this one and like it better than book 2. I believe that we see more of the family and Flavia sounds more like the 11yo she is.

Lots of action so far...

[Anima]

I really liked book #4, it had a lot of cute details and witty remarks, combined with Christmas time and old-fashioned traditions.

Now, I'm on book #5 and can't wait to read more. So far, I loved the blood-comparison experiments :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

RebeccaS wrote: "@Karen - I've read the first 6 books. I have in hardcover in the mail. I can't wait to crack it open. I'd love to read it with someone if we..."

Great. It may be another 6 weeks until I get to that one. I'll let you know once I've finished #6

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Anima wrote: "So far, I loved the blood-comparison experiments ..."

haha. Oh yes I forgot about those ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Book 6 in the series and possibly my favourite. The mystery in this one surrounds Flavia's own family, and we learn much more about them and her mother which makes for an interesting twist in the series, and no doubt, will create great stories for many more books to come.